Breaking: Possible suspect for bombing and shooting in Norway arrested

More Attacks Acts of Domestic Terrorism in Norway

2 Deadly Attacks in Oslo, Norway: Shooting of Campers Follows

Oslo Bombing Outside Government Building

In addition to the bombings in Central Oslo, Norwegian authorities early Saturday updated the death toll to 87 due to a gun attack at a youth camp on the Norwegian island of Utoya. Police arrested a Norwegian man for the deadly attack at the summer youth camp run by Norway’s ruling party. The suspect is Anders Behring Breivik, 32, who is also under suspicion for bombing the government buildings in Oslo. He is described as belonging to a “right-wing extremist groups in eastern Norway.” Authorities also believe he is responsible for a bombing at a government building in central Oslo several hours earlier that claimed at least seven lives. The death toll in Norway increased to 87 deaths.

Breivik appears to be deeply opposed to Islam, immigration, and multiculturalism. He believes libertarians are soft on what he believes is “the multicultural menace. One comment he wrote was, Norway has for me been absolutely no interest until now. The main focus should be on an intellectual platform consolidation of European cultural conservative organizations/ individuals. This alliance should have as its main focus is to de-legitimizing multiculturalism (cultural Marxism) of the “European ideology of hate” it actually is. Its purpose (or indirect result) is known to completely destroy western civilization, nation-states, Western culture/ norms/ traditions, Christianity-European/ Norwegian identity.

Witnesses saw a man fitting Breivik’s description was reportedly seen in the area of the bombing prior to the explosion. Norwegian television noted that Breivik belongs to right-wing circles in Oslo. A Swedish newspaper reported that Breivik posted on right-wing forums in Norway.

Norwegian media has linked alleged bomber, and possibly shooter, Breivik to a Facebook account in which the poster described himself as a Christian conservative.

Authorities in Norway said that explosion is the worst attack in Norway since World War II. The incident occurred at Utøya [Utoya] island only 45 minutes away from Oslo. Witnesses to the camp attack said the suspect dressed as a policeman. He identified himself as such and appeared to be conducting a security check related to the Oslo bombing. He used this ruse to get campers closer to him before he attacked. One witness told AP that campers played dead, but the gunman shot bodies in the head to ensure they were dead.

Video showed bodies floating in the water around the island, and witnesses said victims took to the water in an attempt to flee the carnage, but were shot anyway.

It seems the lone Norwegian terrorist is solely responsible for the attacks. Officials have all but ruled out any connection to international terrorism. Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg told reporters that it was too early to say anything certain about the motive. Justice Minister Storberget stated he was unaware of any threats prior to the attacks. Norwegian police said that the incidents did not appear to have international connotations, but that Norway’s borders are closed

A looming threat, largely discounted by state security, is right-wing extremism. Earlier this year, Spokeswoman Janne Kristiansen said that Neo-nazis aren’t a big threat but we have seen some increased activity. The perception in Norway’s security services that Islamist terrorism is a bigger threat than the almost unheard domestic terrorism, despite the existence of far right and anarchist groups who of late are alleged to have improved their international contacts.